1 week Ago
PITTSBURGH -- New Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson models his game after former Steelers star Le’Veon Bell . Johnson says he has talked to Bell before, too. Bell was one of the players Johnson looked up to when he was at his height in the 2010s.
“Yes, I do,” Johnson said when asked if sees Bell in his game. “And I, you know, I always would see him. I just saw him earlier on streaming and talking, we had a conversation, and it was a magical moment.
It just speaks into existence — it speaks for itself. So, you know, I’m ready to work. So, let’s do it.
” Bell was a two-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler during the height of his career. He played wit the Steelers from 2013 to 2018 before fizzling out of the NFL in 2021, Johnson had a massive 2024 season, racking up 1537 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. That earned him an All-Big 10 selection and All-American honors as one of the best running backs in college football.
Johnson does not have that much mileage on his legs, either, having just 540 rushes in three years with the Hawkeyes. Despite lacking elite timed speed, Johnson was one of the most explosive runners in college football. He averaged 6.
4 yards per attempt and 128.1 yards per game in his stellar Junior campaign. The Steelers still have Warren, Kenneth Gainwell , Cordarrelle Patterson, and Jonathan Ward, who were on the roster last year and will compete for playing time this summer.
However, Johnson will add something the team did have as a natural wide zone runner a year ago, filling a void in the Steelers’ rushing attack..
